News and Announcements
Growers! Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Monday, March 1, 2010Ag Burning in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Tuesday, February 23, 2010Air quality regulations in the Bay Area District are stricter due to recent limits on PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns). Growers do not need a burn permit, but they do need to notify the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in writing before burning. Regulations, submission forms, and burn days can be found at www.baaqmd.gov. You can call 1-800 HELP AIR for permissive burn days.
The following requirements for agricultural burning must be followed:
· Burning can only be done on commercial farms
· Burning cannot begin before 10:00 a.m.
· No smoke can be rising from the pile by sunset that day
· All material must be reasonable dry before burning
· Pile size base area is limited to no more than 25 sq yds (~17 feet in diameter) and pile height shall be at least 2/3 of the average width.
· Only vineyard prunings or vines pulled for replacement can be burned
o If burning is for disease or pest control, you must contact the Agricultural Commissioner
o Other wood products, e.g. pallets, posts, stakes, garden prunings or plastic materials cannot be burned
o Flood debris can be burned
Enforcement officers are patrolling the county 7 days/week.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District includes the southern half of the county (a map is on the website above). The Commission does have a few information packets available for growers. Contact Ginger at 707-522-5864.
For more information on obtaining a permit for ag burning in the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, call 707-433-5911
2010 Pruning Contest Photos
Friday, February 19, 2010Press Release: Javier Lopez Wins 11th Annual Sonoma County Pruning Championships
Click these thumbnails below for high-res photos:
 2010 Pruning Contest Champion - Javier Lopez & Ulises Valdez of Valdez & Sons Vineyard Management |
 2010 Pruning Contest Champion - Javier Lopez of Valdez & Sons Vineyard Management |
 2010 Pruning Contest 2nd Place - Isaac Moreno of Munselle Vineyards |
 2010 Pruning Contest 3rd Place - Francisco Toledo of Clendenen Vineyard Management |
2009 Preliminary Grape Crush Report
Wednesday, February 10, 2010Grape yields rebounded in 2009.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 2009 Preliminaryl Grape Crush Report.doc | 36.5 KB |
Grower Programs Manager Position with SCWC
Saturday, February 6, 2010The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing region, is seeking a full time Grower Programs Manager. We are looking for an individual with knowledge or direct experience working in the wine industry to plan and implement programs that serve the needs of grape growers and their employees. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a high interest in working with grape growers, viticulturists and vineyard employees are essential. Spanish speaking is highly beneficial.
Please view job description here. All inquires and resume submissions directed via e-mail to recruit-scwg@leapsolutions.com or fax to 707.237.6934. Include job code wg-10115 in subject line. Please, no phone calls.
11th Annual Sonoma County Pruning Contest
Tuesday, December 22, 2009Recognize the professional skills of your vineyard employees – enter 2 pruners into the regional pruning contest by noon the day before the competition. (Entry form download below) and then cheer them on!!
An individual may participate in only ONE Regional Contest
Minimum cash prizes include:
1st Place - $100.00
2nd Place - $50.00
3rd Place - $25.00
4th Place - $25.00
Pruners please bring pruning shears and protective safety glasses.
Top 2 pruners from each region advance to the Sonoma County Pruning Championship on February 19, 10:00 a.m. at SRJC Shone Farm, 6225 Eastside Road, Forestville, hosted by SCWC. SCWC will provide the following cash prizes at the Sonoma County Championships totaling:
1st Place - 500.00
2nd Place - $250.00
3rd Place - $150.00
4th Place - $100.00
- Sponsors will provide Cash Prizes and merchandise at each regional competition and at the County Championship.
- Major Sponsors include: American AgCredit and Chris Maloney Crop Insurance Services
Contact SCWC at 707-522-5861 for more information.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Pruning Contest Application 2010 [pdf] | 61.49 KB |
| Pruning Contest Flyer 2010 [pdf] | 58.15 KB |
6th Annual Sonoma County Youth Grapevine Pruning Contest
Tuesday, December 22, 2009Participate in the 6th Annual Sonoma County Youth Grapevine Pruning Contest.
When: Saturday January 16, 2010 10:00 A.M.
Where: Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm 6225 Eastside Road
The contest will be judged on Skill, Speed and Safety. Pruning Shears or Loppers will be used. Open to youth, 4H, FFA and High School Viticulture Students in the following age brackets:
Ages 9 and under, Ages 10-13, Ages 14-15, Ages 16-19
Individual and Team Prizes will be awarded. For more information contact Catie Kunde at 707-546-3276
Download the flyer below for information about Practice Pruning Dates.
Download the registration form below. This must be received by January 13, 2010
For More Information Please Call the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission at: 707-522-5862 OR email: ipm@sonomawinegrape.org
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 2010 Youth Pruning Contest Form [pdf] | 110.94 KB |
| Practice Pruning Dates [pdf] | 61.7 KB |
2008-2009 Commission Annual Report
Wednesday, November 18, 2009Download here:
2008-2009 Commission Annual Report [pdf]
2008-2009 Commission Annual Report
Wednesday, November 18, 2009Sonoma County District 3 Local Winegrape Commission Annual Report and Audit. Please download below.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| SCWC Annual Report 2008-2009 [pdf] | 697.61 KB |
| SCWC Audit June 30, 2009 [pdf] | 1006.25 KB |
2010 Dollars & $ense Seminar and Tradeshow
Friday, November 13, 2009Please join us for the 19th annual Dollars and $ense Seminar and Tradeshow on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. The tradeshow will feature up to 50 vendors. Sonoma and Marin County winegrape growers and Commission Sponsor cost is $20 for the seminar only or $50 for the seminar and lunch. Dollars and $ense is open to all who are involved or interested in the wine community.
View Program and Register at www.sonomawinegrape.org/10das. Early registration is recommended because seating for lunch is limited.
For tradeshow or other questions, call Ginger at 707-522-5864.